Cholangiocarcinoma - Part 2, Tumoral and Nontumoral Mimics and Imaging Features Helpful in Differentiation

Each of the 3 morphological subtypes of cholangiocarcinoma has a different set of imaging differentials. Emulators of mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma include other primary and secondary hepatic malignancies, benign tumors and tumor-like mimics such as abscess, hemangioma and confluent hepatic fibrosis. Benign inflammatory biliary strictures constitute the major differential of periductal-infiltrative type and intraductal calculi are the main consideration for intraductal-growth type. CT and MRI are the standard imaging tools for characterization of cholangiocarcinoma and differentiating it from close mimics. Here we will describe the various tumoral and non-tumoral mimics of cholangiocarcinoma and discuss specific imaging features useful in differentiation.